Nationwide — Luis Alvarez, a 31-year-old man who helped a 9-year-old girl who was bitten by a shark, is now in ICE custody after being arrested for allegedly driving without a license. He now faces possible deportation.
On June 11, Leah Lendel, a 9-year-old girl, was bitten by a shark while on vacation in Boca Grande, Florida. Alvarez was one of three men who rushed to help her. Despite the danger, Alvarez jumped into the water and helped get Leah to safety before emergency crews arrived. The girl was airlifted to a hospital and had emergency surgery to save her hand, according to People.
Just days after the rescue, Alvarez was stopped by police in Immokalee, Florida. He was pulled over at night for driving without headlights. When asked for a driver’s license, he showed a work authorization document on his phone instead. Police found out Alvarez never had a valid U.S. driver’s license. He was arrested for driving without a license and taken to Collier County Jail.
Alvarez, born in Nicaragua, has been in the U.S. for about two and a half years. ICE later took custody of him because he entered the country illegally in December 2022. His arrest came through a local police partnership with Homeland Security. Bail is set at $150, and he is scheduled to appear in court on July 9.
Before this, Alvarez had several past arrests for driving without a license, mainly in Lee County, Florida. Despite the legal issues, people who helped at the shark attack praised his bravery. One witness said Alvarez dove deep underwater, not caring about the shark, to rescue Leah. Others called him a “real decent guy” for risking himself in the rescue.
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